Don Nelson, who ranks second on the all-time wins list for NBA head coaches and won five championships as a player with the Boston Celtics, died Sunday. He was 86.
Nelson’s family confirmed the death in a statement that did not say where he died or provide a cause.
“On Sunday morning our beloved husband, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather Don Nelson peacefully went to be with the Lord, surrounded by his loving family,” the statement read. “Throughout his last week, friends and family encircled him with love, sharing the blessing of his friendship and revisiting treasured memories.”
Nelson is one of two coaches in NBA history to have at least 250 wins with three different franchises — in his case the Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors, having also served as general manager for all three franchises. He was a three-time NBA coach of the year and made the playoffs 18 times in 31 seasons. He went to the conference title series three times with the Bucks and once with the Mavericks, never winning a title.
Nelson introduced what is now known as the point forward, and his up-tempo style of offense created a buzz. He said the idea of shifting from the dominant big men of the 1970s to an offense focused on speed and the fast break came from his days playing for the Celtics under coach Red Auerbach, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer.